THE LINGA-CULTThe linga-cult was a sect of Hinduism centered on the god Shiva, who was worshipped in the form of a linga (i.e. a phallic symbol). Most of the Hindu temples at Angkor housed stone lingas, which were cared for and worshiped. Water that passed over lingas became sacred, even magical. There is an interesting application of this belief at the ‘rivers of 1000 lingas’ at Phnom Kulen and Kbal Spean where lingas were carved into the riverbed in order to ‘fertilize’ the waters that fed the rice paddies below. In your visit to the temples you will see countless linga stands (carved, square, table-like blocks of stone) but very few lingas as most have been lost to time, stolen, or moved to the Angkor conservatory in Siem Reap and the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
HINDU MYTHOLOGY AND THE TEMPLE-MOUNTAINIn addition to its religious and political influence, Hindu Mythology also dictated the architectural layout and artistic content of most pre-Bayon (i.e. pre Buddhist) monuments. ‘The temple-mountains’ such as Bakong, Ta Keo, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Baphoun and Angkor Wat were based on the layout of methodical Mt. Meru, which sits at the center of the universe, and is the home of the gods of Hindu mythology. Mount Meru is a five peaked mountain surrounded by other six mountain chains and oceans. This plan is reflected in the architectural layout of temple-mountains in which moats surround a multi-tiered temple pyramid, peaked by towers representing the peaked of Mt. Meru.

Hindu mythology finds its most literal expression in the refiefs carvings that adorn the temples. A variety of scenes from Hindu mythology can be found although the most commonly carved mythological characters are apsaras celestial dancer generated in the froth as the gods churned the oceans to create the elixir of life. There are nearly 2000 apsara images carved in Angkor Wat alone.
802AD: THE BEGINNINGJayavaraman II was the first king of the Angkorian era, though his origins are recorded in history that borders on legend. He is reputed to have been a Khmer prince, returned to Cambodia around 790AD after a lengthy, perhaps forced stay in the royal court in ‘Java’. Regardless of his origin, he was a warrior who, upon returning to Cambodia, subdued enough of the competing Khmer states to declare a sovereign and unified ‘Kambuja’ under a single ruler. He made this declaration in 802AD in a ceremony on Kulen Mountain (Phnom Kulen) north of Siem Reap, where he held a ‘god-king’ rite that solidified his ‘universal kingship’ through the establishment of a royal linga-worshiping cult. The linga-cult would remain central to Angkorian kingship, religion, art and architecture for centuries to come.
BARAYSSeveral huge barays (water reservoirs) were constructed during the Angkorian era. Take a look at the temple map to get a feel for their enormity. For example, the Western Baray measures 8km x 2.3km. The barays seemed to have served not only an agricultural function but political and religious roles as well. The Barays irrigated the rice fields were symbols of the king’s power, and represented the sacred waters that surrounded Mr. Meru of Hindu mythology. Some writers have gone so far as to argue that the barays were wholly political/religious structures not used for any agricultural function, but this is a controversial theory.

AM: Tour begins from picking you up at your hotel or picking you up at airport upon arrival via morning flight.The trip takes about 1 and a half an hours each way. Drive along the way through Angkor Archaeological Park to Banteay Srei Temple. The road is now paved smoothly and is safe. Enjoy the scenery landscape and simple lives along the way.

As you will be arriving at about between 10am. Get up to top of the mountain where the location of the river. Enjoy taking pictures and your expert guide will tell the story, the linga-cult. As well, once you are at the highest point of the area, you will feel why the ancient Khmer king built it on top of the mountain. You feel you are a king and god-king. Enjoy walking along the river seeing several thousand lingas carved on the river bed. The water that flows over is believed to become sacred. Then continue to see the reclining Buddha which carved out of a huge rock in 16th century. Walk along the top mountain to the waterfall.
PM: Enjoy your lunch at local restaurant (on your own account).After having lunch on the mountain top, make your way back to Siem Reap. Relax on your luxury A/C vehicle looking to nice view and people life style.
Trip to Phnom Kulen Mountain Waterfall will make you a memorable which you will remember for a lifetime. Returning home to Siem Reap in late afternoon and arrives at around 4PM.

Creating Unique Touring ExperiencesOur expert travel team has planned your trip so that you can experience the very best of what Cambodia has to offer. We understand that many will have various needs and wants for each particular tour that may not be included in an itinerary. We will plan any tour to meet your particular demands, please Inquire